Talks About Cars
Friday, July 20, 2007
Chrysler Pulls the Plug on Imperial Concept Production
Well if you’ve been one of those guys waiting for Chrysler’s 2006 Imperial concept to show up in showroom floors – forget about it.
Looks like you won’t be able to give that girl a ride in this Bentleyesque vehicle as latest news say that the Chrysler Group has pulled the plug on its production version, thanks (or no thanks?) to escalating gas prices and the threat of higher CAFE standards.
"We felt it would have been irresponsible to bring a vehicle like that to the market at this time," Chrysler spokesman Dave Elshoff was quoted as saying. Elshoff said a production version of the Imperial concept "would have been substantially bigger than our largest sedan, the Chrysler 300C."
Industry observers are saying that the move to cancel the production of the controversial car is a smart move for the automaker, what with legislation currently expected to result in a 35-mpg fuel-efficiency average across the auto industry. The Imperial was supposed to bring a $700-million investment to Chrysler’s Ontario plant to provide proper tooling for its production. Chrysler still plans to use the plant for the next-generation 300, according to the Canadian Autoworkers union president.
Chrysler had reportedly planned to start building the Imperial in early 2009, using components from the rear-wheel-drive 300C and its siblings, the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Magnum.
The Imperial concept made its debut at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, drawing both cheers and jeers in later reviews.
Looks like you won’t be able to give that girl a ride in this Bentleyesque vehicle as latest news say that the Chrysler Group has pulled the plug on its production version, thanks (or no thanks?) to escalating gas prices and the threat of higher CAFE standards.
"We felt it would have been irresponsible to bring a vehicle like that to the market at this time," Chrysler spokesman Dave Elshoff was quoted as saying. Elshoff said a production version of the Imperial concept "would have been substantially bigger than our largest sedan, the Chrysler 300C."
Industry observers are saying that the move to cancel the production of the controversial car is a smart move for the automaker, what with legislation currently expected to result in a 35-mpg fuel-efficiency average across the auto industry. The Imperial was supposed to bring a $700-million investment to Chrysler’s Ontario plant to provide proper tooling for its production. Chrysler still plans to use the plant for the next-generation 300, according to the Canadian Autoworkers union president.
Chrysler had reportedly planned to start building the Imperial in early 2009, using components from the rear-wheel-drive 300C and its siblings, the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Magnum.
The Imperial concept made its debut at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, drawing both cheers and jeers in later reviews.
posted by Marley Jones at 12:43 AM
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